Protecting device for ships



t LA.' SMITH. PROTECTIN/G DEVICE FOR SHIPS.

,APPLIATION FILED JULY 7| 1917.

Patented May 4,1920.

ILSHEETS-*SHEET l.

`E. A. SMITH. i PRTECTlNG-DEVICE FOR` SHIPS.v

'APPLFCATION FILED lllJLY I, |917.

Patented May 4,1920;

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

FIL

III.:

5. A. SMITH. PROTECTING DEVICE FOR SHIPS.

APPLICATION FILED .IULY 1917.

Patented May 4, 1920;

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3 E. A. sMlTH.`l 4PI'IOTECTING DVICE FOR SHIPS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY l7, IS'IT. l

Patented May 4, 1920.

4 SHEETSLSHIIETl 4.

M @Hamai UNITED STATES PAT-ENT OFFICE.l

i EDWARD'A. sMrrH, or NEW YORK, n. Y.

Specification of Letters Patent.

PROTEQTING DET-TICE FOR SHIPS.

Patented May 4, 1920.

Application led July 7, 1917-. Serial No. 179,109.

T0 all whom t may concern: i

Be it known that I, EDWARD A. SMITH, a citizen of the United States,residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Protecting Devices for Ships, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates te an improvement in devices for protecting ships against torpelled by their'own power away from the side of the ship, to form a protecting barrier about her. rlhese auxiliary boats will be propelled ata speed equal to that at which the ship is traveling, or a little in excess of that speed, so as not to impede the progress of the ship at all. Carried by each boat are ,electromagnets I have shown a pair carried by each boat, extending into the water below, the bottom of the boat, to which the chains or ropes connecting the boats are fastened, and also magnetized, these chains being spaced apart, but close enough together to prevent a torpedo or mine passing through, .A torpedo or mine upon entering the {ield of the magnets or their connecting "magnets being secured to the bottom of each chains, will be attracted thereto andexi plode, either Iby contact-or by the magnetic force acting on the exploding mechanism of the torpedo or mine. This will merely destroy vone or more of the boats, without injuring the ship. Of course, the boats can be readily replaced, as spare boats will be carried by the ship, and the. controlling mechanism for the boats is such that a new boat can be placed inthe water without disturbing the boats which haveI already been launched. Should the torpedo or mine not explode it may be .salvaged intact.

Referring to the drawings 'accompany-- ing this application, Figure 1 is an elevation of a ship with the auxiliary boats in the water; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus ofv Fig. 1, showing in full lines the position of the boats as they strike the water, and in dottedflines their position when in operation; Fig. 3 is a part sectional elevation .of one of the auxiliary ,boats,

showing the propelling and steering apparatus, and the magnets carried by the boats; Fig. 4 is a plan of one of the auxiliary boats; Fig. 5 is a section through one of the boats, showing the method of vattaching the magnets thereto, and the construction of the hull of the boat; Fig. 6 is an elevation'of one of the'booms by which the boats are lowered, and raised; Fig. 7 is a section of the mechanism for holding the booms up against the side of the ship when the` boats are out of the water; Fig'. 8 isa wiringdia gramshowing the various controlling circuits of the system; and Fig.l 9 is a view "of the brake mechanism for the hoisting motors. i

Throughout the drawings, like characters of reference designate like parts;

Referring to the drawings in detail, S designates a ship which it. is desired to protect against torpedo attack. 2 Adesignates a series of small auxiliary boats, which arc carried by the ship, these boats being decked over as shown in Fig. 5, and may, when out of the water, be kept on the deck of the ship, or merely against the side of the ship, or any other position that may be founddesirable. Each boat carries a pair of electromagnets, 3, 3, w'aterproofed,l and preferably shaped as shown in plan .in Fig. 4,

Aso as to offer the least possible resistance to beingforced through the water, these torpedo from passing between them, theseV chains being secured to the magnets by snap hooks 6, so that in the event of any of thel boats 2 being destroyed, it will be an easy matter to replace it. The magnets on each boat'are connected together also, by means of chains or vwire ropes 5a, attached to the 'magnets by snap hpoks 6. If desired,

' works of the ship b springs 27h, which atter are secured to the chains 7 may be secured to the hulls of the boats also. Each boat carries an electric motor8, the armature shaft 9 of. which is connected to. propellers 10. A rudder11, is also carried by each boat, and is controlled by a tiller 12, which in turn is held in adjusted position by a pin 13. In putting the boats in the water, the rudders will be set at the proper angle to maintain the boats away from the side of the ship any desired distance. Hloisting cables 15 are secured to each boat by means of chains 14, these hoisting cables passing over pulleys 16 carried at the outer end of booms 17, preferably telescopic, which are pivotally secured to the hull or upper works of the ship at 18. The hoisting cables pass over pulleys'19 and 20 carried by the arms 21 of the booms, and up over the rail of the ship and around drums 22,ldriven by electric motors 23 carried on the deck of the ship. YI/Vhen the apparatus is not in opera-4 tion, the booms 17 will lie up against the side or upper works of the ship as shown in Fig. 6, being held in position by means of the latch mechanism illustrated in Fig. 7, which comprises the pivoted latch 24, carried in housings 25 secured to the side of the ship, the latches being held in o eerative position by'means of. springs 267 l hen it is desired to release the booms to allow the boats to be launched, the magnets 27 are energized and attract they inner ends of the latches 24 to pull them up against the action of the springs 26,-an`d`fthe other end out ofsoperative` engagement with the booms. The booms are secured to the side or upper chains 27a, secured to side or upper works-fof the ship, and act as shock absorbers when the boats are launched. The brake mechanism for the hoisting motors, comprises brake levers 175,

Vuo

y or each ofthe motors 23 (three having been and brake shoes 176, al unit for each hoisting motor, the brake shoes being applied by means of still coil springs 177,'and released by means of magnets, designated on the wiring diagram 'of Fig. 8, 96. 96', 96",.

it being understood, of course, that there is a magnet to each brake unit. The cicliits `for the brake magnets are in series with the magnets 27, and also with the hoisting motors, so that when the magnets 27 are energized to launch the boats, the brakes rovided independent switches, 37, 37', 37"J launch the boats.

shown on the wiring diagram for the sake of simplicity), so that the motors 23 may be controlled as unit or individually. In addition to the switches just mentioned, I have provided reversing switches 32, 32', 32", for each of the, hoisting motors, by means of which the circuit of any one of the hoisting motors may be controlled without disturbing the circuits of the others. For instance, `if it Were desired to lift any one of the auxiliary boats 2, the switch 37 could be left closed, and all the othersv opened, and that particular boat could then be hoisted without disturbing the others. To control the circuits of the magnets 27, I have provided a main switch 61, and independent switches, designated on the wiring diagram, 62, 62', 62", and with these latter all closed, closure of the switch 61 will energize the magnets 27 simultaneously. Of course, if it is desired to hold one magnet Q energized' and -de'c'nergized all the others,

or vice versa, in the latter event it being desired to have a boom '17 held against the side of the ship 'to replace one of the boats, the switch 62, for instance, could be opened, and the other independent switches 62', 62", etc., 'left closed, 4and closure of the switch 61 would have no effect on the magnet 27 controlled by the switch 62; in other words the boom 17 controlled thereby would still be retained in elevated position against the side of the ship. The circuits for the propelling motors 8 are controlled by means of main switch 63 and independ dependent switch controlling that particular boats propelling motor could be left open, so that its motor would stop, while the boat was beingl hoisted. The circuits of the magnets 3 are controlled by a main switch 65, and auxiliary switches 66, 66', 66". All the magnets, therefore, maybe energized simultaneously, or independentlyas desired. Each air of magnets 3 carried by each boat, is s own in series, but it is to be understood that .if desired they could be just as well connected in parallel.`

Assuming now that the boats 2 are out of the water, with their' individual motors 8 standing still, and their magnets 3 denergized, and the latches 24, under the action of Vthe springs 26, holding the booms in place against the side of the ship; the brake magnets at this time will be denergized,

so that the brakes will be on the motors 23. We will assume now that it is desired to To do this, it is necessary to magnetize the magnets 27, and also energize lthe brake magnets.

The circuits for the magnets 27 may be traced 'as follows: for the magnet 27 at the right hand side of Fig. 8: from thelplus.

yCircuit for the magnet 27 at the left hand side of Fig. 8: from the plus main, conductors 29, 90,4 91, 67', 84,73, 85, 87, 88, 74, magnet 27, conductor 7 5,'switch 62', conductors 76, 77, 89, 81, 82, 83, 71, switch 61, conductors 72, 43, 94, 95, to the minus side of the line. Circuit for the magnet 27 at thelbottom of Fig. 8: from the plus main, conductors 29, 90, 91, 67, 84, 73, 85, 78, through the magnet 27, conductor 79, switch y62, conductors 80, 81, 82, 83, 71, switch 61, conductors 72, 43, 94, 95, to the minus side Aof the line. It lwill be seen that the current for all these magnets passes through the switch 61. The inner ends of theV latches '24, now that the magnets 27 are energized,

will be drawn up against the action of the.

- springs 26, to release the booms 17.

, 85, 87, 99, brake magnet 96', conductors 100;

' ductors 72, 43, 94 and 95, to the minus side of the line, to lift the brake connected with the motor 23 at the right hand side of Fig. 4

8. Circuit for brake magnet 96': from the plus main, conductors 29, 90, 91, 67, 84, 73,

89, 81, 82, 83, 71, switch 61, conductors 72, 43, 94 and 95, to the` minus side of the line, to lift the brake from the motor 23 at the left hand side of Fig. 8. Circuit for the brake magnet 96: from the plus main, conductors 29, 90, 91, 67, 84, 73, 101, brake magnet 96, conductors 102, 82,83, 71, switch 61, conductors 72, 43, 94, 95, to the minus side of the line, to lift the brake from the motor 23 at the bottom of Fig.- 8. The brake magnets now all being energized, the

boats will overhaul the hoisting motors anddescend into the water. So Soon as the boats are in the water, the switch 61 may be'opened, and the circuits of magnets 27 and thebrake magnets opened. It is to bev understood that it is not necessary to open the swltch 61 at this time, as it may be desired to have the boats take up a position some distance from the ship, in which caseit will be necessary to leave the' brake circults closed, so that the motors 23 may be over-hauled still more. 5 If now the switches 63 and 65 controlling the circuits of the propelling motors 8, and the magnets 3, respectively, be closed, the motors and magnets 4will be energized. Circuit for the motor 8 at the right hand sideof Fig. 8: from the plus main, conductors 29, 90, 103, 104, through the motor 8, conductor 105, switch 64, conductors 106, 107, switch 63, which is now closed, conductors 108, 94 and 95, to the minus side of the line. Circuit for the motor 8 at the left hand side of Fig. 8: from theplus main, conductors 29, 90, 103, 109, 115', 112, motor 8., conductor 111, switch 64', conductors 110, 113, 114, 107, switch 63, conductors 108, 94 and 95, to the minus side of the line.- Circuit for the motor 8 at the bottom of Fig. 8: from the plus main, conductors 29, 90, 103, 109, 118, motor 8, conductor 117, switch 64, conductors 116, 114, 107, switch 63, conductors 108, 94 and 95to the minus side of the line. The circuits for the magnets-3 atthis time may be traced as follows: Circuit for the magnets 3 at the right hand side of Fig. 8: from the plus main, conductors 29, 119, 120, magnet 3, conductor 121, through the other magnet 3 attached to the same boat, conductor 122, switch 66, conductors 123, 124, switch 65, conductors 125, and 95, to the minus side of the line. Circuit for the magnets 3 at the lei't hand side of Fig. 8: from the plus main, conductors 29, 119, 126, 127, 128, magnet 3, conductor 129, magnet 3, attached to lthe same boat, conductor 130, switch 66', conductors 131, 132, 133, 124, switch 65, conf ductors 12,5 and 95, to the minus side of the line. Circuit for the magnets 3` at the bot- 128, magnet 3, conductor 129, switch 66, conductors 130, 133, 124, switch 65, conductors 125, 95, to the minus side of the line.

The apparatus as so far described, is now 4in full operation, with the boats in the water and being propelled by their respective motors.. The rudder in each boat, in practice, would have been set at the proper angle to cause the boats to assume a position at some distance from the side of the ship, to form a protecting 'barrier about her. The chains -5 and 5a being attached directly to the magnets 3 will also be magnetized at this time.`

Assuming now, that itis desired to hoist all ofthe boats 2: The switches 63 and 65 will be opened, thus opening the circuits of the propelling motors 8 and the magnets 3. A switch 40 controlling the circuits of the hoisting motors will now be closed and circuits' closed thereby to the Various hoisting motors 23, and at the same time to .the brake magnets, so as to take the brakes olf the motors. Circuit for the hoisting" motor 23 at the right hand side of Fig. 8: from the plus main, conductors 29, 90, 91, 134, reversing switch 28, conductor 41, switch 40, conductors 135, 39, 38, switch 37, conductor 36, one side ofv switch 32, conductor 35, motor '23, conductors 34, 33, other side of the switch 32, conductors 31, 136, 137 42, other side of 'the switchy 28, conductors 138, 43, 94 and 95 to the minus side of the line. The brake magnet 96 will receive current at this time also, its circuit being traced as follows: from the plus main, conductors 29, 90, 91, 134, one side of switch 28, conductor 41, switch 40, conductors 135, 140, 97, through the, brake magnet 96, conductors 98, 141, 137, 42, other side of switch 28, conductors 138, 43, 94 and 95, to the minus side of the line. The circuit for the motor 23 at the left hand side of Fig. 8: from the plus main,'conductors 29, 90, 91, 134, onel side .of switch 28, conductor 41, switch 40, conductors 135, 39, 142, 44, 148, 144, 45,

switch 37 conductor 47, .one side of switch 32, conductor 49, motor 23, conductors 50,

51, other side of switch 32', conductors 52, 145, 53, 150, 146, 136, 137, 42, other Side of switch 28, conductors 138, 43, 94, 95, to the minus side of the line.- The circuit at this time is also closedto the brake magnet 96 for this motor: from the plus main, conduc- Y ductor 41, switch 40, conductors 135, 39, 142,

44, 54, switch 37,conductor 56, one side of switch 32, conductor 58, motor 23, conductors 59, 60, other side o f switch 32, conductors 61, 150, 146, 136, 137, 42, other side-of switch 28, conductors 138, 43, 94 and 95, to the minus side of the line.

magnet 96 at this time receives current as follows: from the plus main, conductors 29, 90, 91, 134, one side of switch 28, conductor 41, switch 40, conductors 135, 39, 142, 162,

101, through the brake magnet 96, conductors 102, 163, 146, 136, 137, 42, other side of switch 28, conductors v138, 43, 94, and 95 to the minus side of the line.\ Thebrakes for the motors 23 Ahaving now been lifted, and the circuits closed for the motors, the latter will hoist the boats, until the stop ball or other member 165 carried by each hoisting cable, engages the-end of telescoping arm 166 of the booms 17, at which time the arms 166, Yhaving now been telescoped, will be swung about their pivots 18, and up against the side of the ship, the ends of the/ booms snapping by the latches 24, so that when the circuits of the hoisting motors 23 are again opened, thebooms will be held in position.

The brake ally, means connecting the units, the units and connecting means when launched forming a protecting barrier about the ship.

2. In apparatus for protecting ships,

combination of a plurality of units carried by the ship, means for launching said units from the ship, means connecting the units, the units and connecting means when launched forminga protecting barrier about the ship, and mechanism for controlling the launching mechanism whereby the units may be launched simultaneously or only` such units as may be desired.

3. In apparatus for protecting ships, the combination of a plurality of units carried by the ship, means for launching said units from the ship simultaneously or individually as desired, means connecting the units, the units and connecting means when launched forming a protecting barrier about the ship, propelling mechanism for each unit, and a single control for the propelling mechanism.

4. In apparatus for .protecting ships, the combination of a plurality of units carried by the ship," booms by which the units are connected to the ship, means connecting the units, and means controlling the operation of said booms whereby all the units may be launched simultaneously or individually as desired. 1

5. In apparatus for protecting ships, the combination of a plurality of units carried by the ship, `means connecting the' units, means foi` launching the units so that they and their connecting means form a protecting barrier about the ship, mechanism for `hoisting the units out of the water, mechanism for controlling the hoisting means to hoist all the units simultaneously, and separate controlling means whereby any desired unit may be hoisted without disturbing the others.

6.3' In apparatus for protecting ships, the

combination of a plurality of units carriedby the ship, ymeans connecting the units, means for launching the units so that they and their connecting means form a protecting barrier about the ship,magnets carried by each unit and extending into the water when the units are in the water, some of the connecting means for the units being attached to the said magnets, and means for mea/IIS.

7 In apparatus for rotecting ships, the

combination of a plurzility of units carried' by the ship, means connecting the units to each other, means for launching the units so that they and their connecting means form a protecting barrier about the ship, magnets carried by each unit and extending into the water when the units are in the water, and means operative from the ship for controlling the energization of said magnets.

8. In apparatus for protecting ships, the combination of a plurality of units carried by the ship, means connecting the units to each other, means for launching the units so that they and their connectingl means form a protectin barrier about te ship, magnets carried by each unit and extending into the water when the units are in the water, and means operative from the ship for energizing said magnets simultaneously.

9. In apparatus for protecting ships,.the combination of a plurality` of units carried by the ship, means connecting the units to each other, means for launching the units so that they and their connecting means form a protecting barrier about the ship, magnets carried by each unit to which the connecting means are attached, these magnets extending into the water when the units are in the water, and means for selectively controlling the energization of said magnets whereby the magnets carried by any number of the units may be energized without energizing the others.

l0. In apparatus for protecting ships, the combination of a plurality of units carried by the ship, connecting means therefor, means for launching the units so that they andy their connecting means form a protecting barrier about the ship, hoisting mechanism for raising and lowering the units, brake mechanism therefor, and a single control for said brakes, whereby the units may be raised o r lowered simultaneously.

.11. In apparatus for protecting ships, the combination of a plura ity of units carried by the ship, connecting means therefor, means for launching the units so that they and their connectinlr means form a protecting barrier about t e ship, hoisting mechanism for raising and lowering the units, brake mechanism therefor, booms attached to the units, said booms being actuated in one direction by the hoisting mechanism,

means :for holding the booms against the side of the ship when the units are not in use, and a single control for the holding means and the lbrake mechanism for the hoisting mechanism.

12. In apparatiis for rotecting ships, the combination of a plura ity of units carried by the ship, connecting means therefor,

hoisting mechanism from which the units are suspended, brake mechanism for said hoisting mechanism, and means controlling said hoisting mechanism, whereby the ,units will be lowered by gravity and hoisted by power, means for maintaining the units in hoisted position and means controlling said brake `mechanism whereby the brakes will be lifted whenever the means for maintaining the units inhoisted position are actuated to inoperative position, and when it is desired to hoist the units.

13. In apparatus for rotecting ships, the combination of a plura .ity of units carried by the ship, connectin means therefor, ivoted booms to which t e units are attac ed, hoisting mechanism for said units and booms, means for maintaining the -booms in position against the side of the ship when the units are out of the water, brake mechanism for the hoisting mechanism, and

means for controlling the brake mechanism Y tachable means connecting the magnets carried by each unit, and means for energizing said magnets and connecting means simultaneously, the units together with the magnets and connecting means forming a protecting barrier about the ship. v

15. In apparatus for protecting ships against torpedo attack, the combination of a plurality of units carried by the ship,

launching mechanism therefor, means connecting the units to each other, propelling mechanism for each unit, booms to which the units are attached, means fon holding said booms in position, magnets carried by each unit, means for releasing said booms when it is desired to launch the units, andmcans for ,energizing said magnets and starting up the propelling mechanism for the various units simultaneously. l I

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set m hand.

y' EDWARD A. SMITH, 

